A comparative study on biohydrogen production from selected fruit peel wastes: regional and experimental experiences

The relatively slow advancement in biohydrogen research across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, like Uganda, puts them at risk of ‘Copy-Pasting’ technologies designed for more advanced economies. This study uses a Multi-Factorial Design of Experiment to compare biohydrogen production profiles from three organic waste types (banana peel, pineapple peel and mixed peels), at four inoculum-to-substrate ratios (2:1, 1:1, 0.5:1 and 0.25:1), across three sites (Kampala, Uganda, and Leeds and York, United Kingdom). The results showed that the maximum biohydrogen yield was significantly higher in Leeds (116.3 mLH2/gVS) and York (59.1 mLH2/gVS) than Kampala (15.7 mLH2/gVS). Moreover, the correlation analysis of key operating parameters showed vast inconsistencies in the performance profiles across the three sites, suggesting that data from one region cannot be used to inform technology uptake in a different region. A conscious approach to biohydrogen research and development is needed to enable technology adaptation to local resources across SSA.